By the 1830’s a number of architects and builders were at work in the state. Joseph Neibert and his partner, Peter Gemmell, were the leading contractors in Natchez in the 1830’s. Their heavy investments in Natchez real estate ruined them after the Panic of 1837. James Hardie, an architect and Scottish immigrant, came to Natchez with his three brothers, all carpenters, in the early 1830’s. Hardie became superintendent of construction for the Neibert and Gemmell firm and in 1836 purchased his first parcel of land. He designed and built D”Evereux and Choctaw in 1836, both Greek Revival houses with with Federal elements. Hardie was also the designer and builder of the earliest Gothic Revival structure in the state, the chapel at Laurel Hill (1837), and Homewood, the Methodist parsonage (1852), and St. Mary’s Cathedral. In 1851 he remodeled the interior of the First Presbyterian Church in Natchez and extended the building sixteen feet at the pulpit end. When he was an old man in his eighties, Dr. W. Newton Mercer hired him to do some repairs at Laurel Hill Plantation. Mercer’s nephew remembered that “the difficulty was he was so exacting and apt to be so profane when the work done did not suit him that it was difficult to keep and assistant for him.” Hardie died in 1889.

From Art in Mississippi, 1720-1980 by Patti Carr Black

Hardie family headstones Plot 1 Old Natchez Cemetery.Location of James Hardie headstone unknown.

The gunboat USS Essex opens fire on Natchez

The Essex steamed downstream on the 26th, and came to anchor off Port Hudson to reconnoiter reported batteries in progress. No effectual reconnaissance could be made, as the small number of men left on board for duty prevented hazarding a force on shore for such a purpose. A company of soldiers to act in that capacity would have proved invaluable. Earth-works were seen which brought on them the fire of the Essex and their consequent destruction. Unfortunately, in cannonading these earth-works the 10-inch pivot gun of the Essex burst. She remained off this port keeping up a desultory fire on the position supposed to have masked batteries, and shelling the woods, until the 28th, when she again returned to Bayou Sara for the small amount of coal left at that place.

At dawn on the morning of the19th an armed boat’s crew was sent to bring off this fuel, when it was again attacked by the guerillas from the Market-house and buildings remaining. The officer in charge returned the attack, drove the enemy out of the Market-house, which he burnt, as well as what buildings were left of the town. The fuel left uninjured was brought on board, and leaving the site of this treacherous town, the Essex weighed anchor and steamed upstream for the mouth of the Red River.

Porter intended going up this tributary of the Mississippi, but was unable to do so, the low stage of water at its mouth preventing the Essex from passing the bar. A boat was sent up, however, a short distance, and information confirmed that large supplies of cattle, salt, cotton, etc., were being constantly brought down for the enemy east of the Mississippi River. Intelligence was also obtained that two transports laden with these commodities, and convoyed by a Confederate gun-boat, had the previous day steamed up for Natchez.

Losing no time, the Essex started in pursuit, and arriving off the city of Natchez anchored on the 1st September. The enemy had anticipated her untiring antagonist, however, for transports and gun-boat had cleared out—without doubt seeking protection under the guns at Vicksburg. Fuel was all but exhausted, but fortunately there was found a good supply at Vidalia, a town situated on the west bank of the Mississippi, immediately opposite Natchez. The Mayor was apprised that, as being contraband of war, the coal would be confiscated for the use of United States vessels. Exception was taken to this confiscation on the ground that it was the property of private individuals; but this could not be proved, and hence not allowed. It was absolutely necessary to have fuel, and sufficient for the wants of the Essex was at once taken possession of.

Having completed coaling by 2p.m. on the 2nd September, prior to leaving Porter sent ashore to procure ice for his sick and wounded men, which were many; and also a letter to be delivered to the Mayor. Up to this time courtesy had existed between the citizens of Natchez and the Federals of the gun-boat. The men sent from the Essex having obtained the ice required, and on the point of returning to their boat, which lay alongside the wharf, were suddenly attacked by over two hundred citizens armed with muskets. One seaman was instantly killed; and the officer in charge, with five seamen, wounded. No provocation had been given, nor had anything occurred to lead to the supposition of intended attack. The outrage was wanton. The wounded crew hastened to their boat, while the Essex opened her guns without delay on the treacherous city, and continued the bombardment for an hour and twenty minutes—a severe retribution, though richly deserved. Throughout this bombardment a heavy musketry fire was kept up by the enemy, which literally swept the decks of the Essex.

Some have condemned the bombardment of this city, on the ground that time was not allowed for the helpless to leave the place; but the responsibility rests with the attacking party. Porter could not see his men murdered and have preventive power in his hands. The attack was evidently premeditated, as was proved by the number of armed men who kept constant fire on his vessel. The Mayor, by raising a flag of truce, could have stopped the fire of the Essex at any moment. If, there, the weaker inhabitants suffered by the bombardment, the odium and cruelty rests on the authorities; and punishment for injuries done should be visited on those whose murderously attacked the boat’s crew of Essex.

During the bombardment of Natchez another misfortune befell the armament of the Essex by the explosion of one of her 9-inch forward guns.

Porter was anxious to push on up the river; so, leaving the arrangement of peace or more extended punishment for Natchez to a future visit, he steamed toward Vicksburg to find, if possible, the supply transports and gun-boat which were supposed to have taken refuge there. The Essex arrived about five miles below that city on the morning of the 5th, and discovered the Confederate vessels lying snugly under the batteries and alongside the wharf. Steaming on toward our old fighting-ground, it was soon found that, since leaving on the 24th July, great additions had been made to that strong-hold. At that part of the river, where, in July, Farragut’s fleet had rested quietly at anchor, two batteries abreast and one to her rear opened on the Essex. The ridge that extends from the southern extremity of Vicksburg, parallel to and distant from the Mississippi about 1000 yards, may be called one continual battery, which will sweep the whole of the river and any ships advancing from the south for over give miles. Though not seen by Porter, yet information received led him to believe the upper or northern defenses were strengthened in equal ratio by our indefatigable enemy.

USS Essex at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, July 1862… Coaling at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in late July 1862, just after she reached the lower Mississippi. Ships of Farragut's fleet are in the background.Photo: via Wikimedia Commons

Seven year-old Rosalie Beekman was hit by shrapnel during the shelling of Natchez by the USS Essex on September 3, 1862. The Essex came to Natchez to get ice for its wounded. When the gunboat arrived, residents began shooting at the ship. Rosalie became Natchez's only civilian death during the war.Source: Natchez National Historical Park, nps.gov/natc

Article from The New York Times, published September 30, 1886.Correction: The New York Times incorrectly reported the blessing of the bell as taking place on May 26, 1843, the correct date was May 26, 1850Sources: Cradle Days of St. Mary’s (1941) at Natchez by Richard O. Gerow, Bishop of Natchez

Timeline 1838–1948

1838 Reverend James Oliver Van de Velde, S. J., says mass in the city hall over the market house.Yellow fever epidemic kills 235 people.May 8 - November 1: Pierce Connelly is a trustee of Roman Catholic Society of Natchez. October 14: Father R. Jamey, who had presided over Natchez for a few months, departs.1839 January 25: The celebrated Lazarist, Father John Timon, who would later become bishop of Buffalo, New York, arrives in Natchez by steamer. He lives at the home of Felicité Gireaudeau and uses the parlor as a little chapel, but on Sundays, he preaches at city hall.June 15: A presbytery on Union Street is built. (It currently houses Catholic Charities.)July 27: L.A. Besancon, trustee president, writes to Father Maenhaut, Bishop Blanc's secretary, to notify him that the presbytery is completed: "We have just completed a building of brick containing five rooms suited to the accommodation of a priest. One of the rooms is suitable for Sabbath duties until we can get a church edifice erected..."August 19: Joseph Pomet, uncle of Felicité Gireaudeau, dies. No priest is present in Natchez.September 21: Father Joseph Brogard arrives.1840May 7: A tornado devastates Natchez and kills over 300 people.May 16: Baltimore Council recommends Father John Chanche to become bishop of Natchez.July 20: William St. John Elliott states in a letter to Bishop Blanc of New Orleans that he intends to rear a Gothic church for about $30,000. December 15: Pope Gregory XVI appoints Father Chanche of the Sulpician order and president of St. Mary's College in Baltimore, Maryland, first bishop of Natchez.1841March 14: Father Chanche, S.S., is ordained bishop in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in Baltimore, Maryland. May 19: Bishop Chanche arrives from New Orleans during the night and stays at the home of Felicité Gireaudeau. He later rents the Merrick House on the southwest corner of Orleans and Union Streets1842January: Father John Francois is appointed pastor by Bishop Chanche.January 20: "...under the pleasing and intelligent auspices of Reverend Brogard and Bishop Chanche this church has continued to thrive for some time. They are clearing away the mound for a new cathedral." (The Weekly Courier and Journal)January 29: Father Brogard leaves Natchez to become pastor of St. Joseph Church in Baton Rouge.February 24: Cornerstone is laid for the cathedral. The architect is Robert Cary Long, Jr. The contractor is James Hardie.1843December 25: First mass is said in the cathedral which is dedicated to the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.1844August 4: Bishop Chanche writes to Mr. Pierce Connelly, who is studying in Rome to become a priest, and requests that he solicit from the Holy Father "...books, vestments, chalices, everything useful in new missions..."1845January: Bishop Chanche goes to Havana, Cuba to examine Spanish records in an attempt to reclaim church property which was lost to the United States upon a change of governments.September 27: Father Connelly writes that he has the gift of a chalice: "...the cup being gold, the rest of silver heavily gilt."1846 May 10: Bishop Chanche is in Baltimore for the Sixth Provincial Council held in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady. Bishop Chanche is the tenth of twenty-two American bishops to sign a document which adopts the Blessed Virgin Mary as patroness of the United States.August 1: Bishop Chanche receives the papal chalice which had been brought from Rome by Bishop Jean Marie Odin of Texas.August 2: The bishop's house is completed by builder John Crothers.1847January 28: Three Daughters of Charity of St. Joseph arrive. They establish an orphanage and school for girls in the Merrick House on the corner of Orleans and Union Streets.March 13: The painting of The Assumption, a gift from Queen Amelie of France, arrives.1848St. Mary’s Orphanage and School for Girls is established at the permanent location on the corner of Jefferson and Rankin Streets. June: Bishop Chanche goes to Europe for a year, seeking funds to pay off the debt on the cathedral. (A lithographic portrait of the Bishop Chanche is made while he is in Paris. The portrait now hangs in the rectory office.) May 1848: The cathedral which had been placed on auction for debt is redeemed by Father Blase Raho, C.M. 1849May: Bishop Chanche returns from Europe via Baltimore to attend the Seventh Provincial Council. December 28: Reverend Mathurin F. Grignon arrives in Natchez from Brittany, France. 1850May 18: The great bell of St. Mary’s Cathedral, a gift from the Prince and Princess Torlonia of Rome, arrives via the steamer Natchez. May 27: The bell is blessed and named Maria Alexandrina in honor of Princess Torlonia.1851January 6: Bishop Chanche writes to Bishop Blanc that Sheppard Reynolds has built the altar of the cathedral.1852July 22: Bishop Chanche dies in Frederick, Maryland, after attending the First Plenary Council (May 9-20) in Baltimore, Maryland.1853Yellow Fever epidemic kills 750 persons.July 29: Bishop Van de Velde of Chicago is appointed the second bishop of Natchez by Pope Pius IX.December 18: Bishop Van De Velde arrives in Natchez.1854June 9: Slate roof is installed on the cathedral. November: Bishop Van de Velde acquires the old Spanish cemetery for a short period. "He gathered all the bones that were scattered on the surface of the ground, and that filled nearly two boxes, and had them deposited in the crypt under the Sanctuary of the Church."December 8: Dogma regarding the Immaculate Conception is proclaimed by Pope Pius IX.1855November 13: Bishop Van de Velde, along with 40 parishioners, dies during a yellow fever outbreak. He is buried in the crypt under the main altar.

Timeline 1838 — 1948 Related

Yellow fever appeared in the U.S. in the late 17th century. The deadly virus continued to strike cities, mostly eastern seaports and Gulf Coast cities, for the next two hundred years… Read more

The historic Baltimore Basilica, built from 1806-1821, was the first great metropolitan cathedral constructed in the United States after the adoption of the Constitution… Read more

Bl. Pope Pius IX was born in Senigallia, Italy, on 13 May 1792, the son of Gerolamo of the Counts Mastai Ferretti, and Caterina Solazzi, of the local nobility… Read more

1857January 9: Father William Henry Elder of Maryland is appointed the third bishop of Natchez by Pope Pius IX.May 3: Father Elder is ordained bishop in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in Baltimore, Maryland.May 30: Bishop Elder arrives in Natchez.July: Father Grignon is appointed vicar-general by Bishop Elder.1859February 1: The original church property, site of the first Spanish church, San Salvador del Mundo, located on Fourth Street (now Commerce Street) in the center of the city, is sold for $3500.August 14: The cathedral interior, including all woodwork and windows, is finished by Peter Warner of Vicksburg, Mississippi.1860September: D'Evereux Hall, an orphanage for boys, is opened.1861April 12: War Between the States begins.1862January 11: Felicité Gireaudeau dies at 70 years of age.September 2: The ironclad gunboat, Essex, shells Natchez from 3:30 to 6:30 in the afternoon.

History for the Corpus Christi Vow for St. Mary Cathedral

On September 3, 1862, the Union gunboat “Essex” opened fire on the city of Natchez from one to two hours. Some houses were destroyed and buildings damaged and one person was killed—seven year old Rosalie Beekman. On the 18 of September, Bishop William Henry Elder proposed to make a vow in the name of the Congregation—subject to the approval of the Holy See… Read more

1864July 22: Bishop Elder is expelled from Natchez and detained in Vidalia, Louisiana, for declining to pray for the government of the United States as ordered by Brigadier General James M. Tuttle, commander at Natchez.August 12: Bishop Elder is allowed to return to Natchez. 1865April 9: War Between the States ends.October: The Brothers of the Sacred Heart arrive to take over the operation of D'Evereux Hall.1867September 23: The Cathedral School for Boys on the southwest corner of Main and Union Streets is built under the guidance of Bishop Elder.1868First Vatican Council in Rome is summoned by Pope Pius X.1874Bishop Van de Velde's remains are removed from the crypt of the cathedral and taken by his Jesuit order for reinterment at St. Stanislaus Novitiate, Florissant, Missouri.1876Union Army occupation of Natchez ends; troops depart from the city. 1878Yellow fever kills diocesan priests: Fathers Mouton, McManus, Van Queckelberge, Cogan, Oberti and Vitello.1880April 15: Bishop Elder departs from Natchez after being appointed coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati, Ohio.Father Grignon, vicar-general is administrator of the Diocese of Natchez. November 30: Father Theophilus Meerschaert arrives to assist Father Grignon.Patrick McGraw wills $1,000 to the city of Natchez to install a clock in the cathedral.1881April 7: Father Francis Janssens, D.D. is appointed fourth bishop of Natchez by Pope Leo XIII.May 1: Father Janssens is ordained bishop in St. Peter's Cathedral in Richmond, Virginia.May 7: Bishop Janssens arrives in Natchez.1882March: Bishop Janssens contracts for the building of the sacristy for $1,340. He contracts with Pilcher and Company to install an new organ and hires A. Biorci to paint the Crucifixion over the main altar.December 24: The Crucifixion is unveiled by Bishop Janssens.1883Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is donated by Archbishop Elder of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a Pieta is donated by Bishop Janssens. (The present location of the Pieta is unknown.)1884The picket fence surrounding the church property is replaced with an iron fence.1886April 25: Bishop Janssens dedicates St. Joseph School on Commerce and State Streets.September 19: The cathedral is consecrated on the Feast of the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (It is now debt free.)The Sisters of Charity begin teaching African-American children in the lower room of the original presbytery. 1887April 17: Father Grignon dies after serving 37 years. Money from his estate and donations from the Altar Society buys the Christmas crib. New Stations of the Cross and several memorial windows are installed in the cathedral. April 18: Father Meerschaert is appointed vicar-general.1888July 25: Erasmus Humbrecht of Cincinnati, Ohio, is contracted to fresco the interior of the church.August 7: Bishop Janssens is appointed archbishop of New Orleans. Father Meerschaert, vicar-general, is administrator of the Diocese of Natchez.1889March 29: Father Thomas Heslin, a New Orleans pastor, is appointed fifth bishop of Natchez by Pope Leo XIII.June 18: Father Heslin is ordained bishop in New Orleans.September 11: James Hardy, builder of the cathedral, dies in Natchez.1890Holy Family Parish for African-Americans is established by Bishop Heslin. 1891Father Meerschaert, pastor of the cathedral, is named bishop of the Indian Territory. Father Patrick Hayden is appointed pastor.1899A two-room addition, later referred to as St. Anne’s Hall, was added onto the old house from Bishop Chanche’s time. Josephite Fathers arrive to pastor Holy Family Church.1903Two marble side-altars are installed in the cathedral.

Timeline 1838 — 1948 Related

The history of this bell isinteresting. The Mississippi Free Trader on Wednesday, May 15, 1850, announced its arrival in Natchez as follows: "The Bell of St. Mary's… Read more

On September 2, 1862, the Union gunboat USS Essex opened fire on the city of Natchez from one to two hours. Some houses were destroyed and buildings damaged and one person was killed—a little girl… Read more

The statue of the Sacred Heart donated by Archbishop Elder is now displayed in the old baptistry of the cathedral. The baptismal font was located in front of the statue of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus.

Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is donated by Archbishop Elder of Cincinnati, Ohio; born and educated in Maryland, Bishop Elder served the diocese of Natchez from 1857-1880. He ministered to his flock… Read more

Seth Blattner, a junior at Trinity Episcopal School, presents today's Natchez History Minute about the shelling of Natchez by the USS Essex on this day, September 2 in 1862. The Union gunboat shelled the city for over two hours in retaliation for the killing of one sailor and the wounding of several others by a crowd of Natchezians. Published on Sep 1, 2016… View video

1911February 22: Bishop Heslin dies and is buried on Catholic Hill in the Natchez City Cemetery.June 29: Father John Gunn, a Marist priest, is appointed sixth bishop of Natchez by Pope Pius X.August 29: Father John Edward Gunn is ordained bishop.1913April 20: Bishop Gunn dedicates the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was built for the Italian community of Morgantown, located north of Natchez.1914July 28: World War I begins.1918November 11: World War I ends.1921Father Patrick Hayden dies and is buried on Catholic Hill in the Natchez City Cemetery.Father Peter J. Ahern is appointed pastor of St. Mary Cathedral. 1924February 19: Bishop Gunn dies in the Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is buried on Catholic Hill in the Natchez City Cemetery.June 25: Father Richard Oliver Gerow of Mobile, Alabama is appointed seventh bishop of Natchez by Pope Pius XI.October 15: Father Gerow is ordained bishop in Mobile, Alabama.1930In anticipation of celebrating the one-hundred-year anniversary of the diocese, Bishop Gerow oversees the renovation of the cathedral sanctuary in Carrara marble.Father John McNamara is appointed pastor of St. Mary Cathedral. 1935Sisters of Charity assume the operation of the Boys School from Brothers of the Sacred Heart.1937Centenary of the Diocese of Natchez (1837-1937) is celebrated by Bishop Gerow.1948Bishop Gerow moves the Diocese of Natchez to Jackson, Mississippi.

Sources: Cradle Days of St. Mary’s at Natchez by Richard O. Gerow, bishop of Natchez; 1941 (reprinted 1985); St. Mary’s of Natchez: The History of a Southern Catholic Congregation, 1716-1988, Vols. I & II, by Charles E. Nolan, Ph.D., 1992; Letters of Francis Janssens, archbishop of New Orleans (formerly bishop of Natchez), in the archives of Notre Dame, Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana.